The winner...

Well, since I'm always eager to share the weight-loss challenge results here when I'm the winner... I suppose I should do the same for Brian. We wrapped up Month 3 this past weekend and Brian squeaked by me at the end and won his first month. He lost about 4 lbs and I lost 1.5 lbs over the past month, so we're both happy... Of course I'd be happier if I had a three month lead on him instead of just two wins to his one ;) The challenge continues!

And while we're on the subject of being healthy.... Brian and I ordered what we expect to be an awesome cake for Ellie's one year birthday party this weekend. Normally we wouldn't be so extravagant, but our baby only turns one once — and we had a coupon! We ordered a specialty cake from a downtown shop called The Yellow Bowl Bakery. Although they had about 70 cake flavors to choose from, we decided to stay fairly traditional and ordered chocolate. The best part is that they will do any design we want on the cake. So the plan is to recreate some version of this painting we have hanging above Ellie's bed:
It's such a great picture. And it was painted by Jen's grandfather (initially for Ellie's cousin, Mason's, room). Dan and Jen passed it on to us, for now, and we have it hanging above Ellie's crib. I hope the cake turns out amazing — and that Brian decides to have an extra big piece!